Page 46 of Galen's Redemption
There wouldn’t be any more Robert, of that Galen was certain. “Sometimes being into a person isn’tenough.”
The doorbell rang, and Andy was up and rushing for the door before the tone had even died away. As soon as he opened it, Galen could see a deliveryman standing there. He bit back a laugh as Andy stared up at the man, biting his lip.
“Hi, I’m from MacDale Floral, and I have a delivery.”
“Are you sure it’s for here?”
“Yep. Sign here, please.”
Andy signed on the electronic pad the manheld. Galen couldn’t help but notice the way the deliveryman peered at Andy.
“Thank you. Here you go.” He handed Andy a long box tied with a blue silk ribbon.
“Thanks, cutie!”
The deliveryman grinned at Andy, who was clearly enthralled by him. It wasn’t hard to see why. He was a hulking brute of a man with red hair, a trimmed beard and mustache, and dazzling blue eyes, that had obviously putAndy under a spell.
“You’re welcome, hot stuff.” He turned to leave but stopped. “Oh! I almost forgot. I’m Marco.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card, which he handed to Andy. “In case you ever need it.”
Andy ogled as the man strode down the hall, then closed the door and gave a squeal. “I got his number!”
Galen chuckled. “I have no idea how you do that. So what’s in the box?”
“Oh, it’s not for me.” Andy handed it over. “Mr. Merriweather, I believe this belongs to you.”
“Are you sure?” There had to be a mistake. He took the ribbon off the package and opened it. Inside was a single fragrant red rose. “What the hell?”
“There’s a card!” Andy bounced on his heels. “What’s it say?”
Galen’s hands shook when he opened the small shiny red note. He read what was written inside,and his cheeks warmed. When Andy snatched it from him, Galen ducked his head as he read it out aloud.
“A rose can say what prose cannot.” Andy sniffed dramatically. “Oh, that’s so sweet.”
But that raised a new question. “How did he know where to send them?”
He’d seen Andy blush before, but not like he was now. His cheeks were a fire truck–red. “I… might have slipped him the address.”
“What?When?”
“When you were gawking at him while we were in Real Chili. I wrote a note with my name and phone number, and gave him the address. Imighthave also put a message on there saying if he hurt you, I’d kill him.”
“How’d you know he wasn’t a serial killer or something? How could you do something so stupid?”
Andy snickered. “You should see your face.” He scowled, trying to mimic Galen, thenstopped. “Did I take an unnecessary risk? Yeah, probably. But, Gale, he’s the first man I have ever seen make you behave that way. For just a few minutes, he stripped away that polished exterior and showed the heart you have underneath. Stop treating it like a bad thing.”
The rosewasbeautiful. Galen lifted the box to his nose and inhaled deeply. He’d always loved roses. The bold colors, thegentle scent. He’d sent them to the women who went with him to functions, and if he happened to buy a few for himself? Well, that was just helping to keep the shop in business.
And Robert hadn’t been harsh the night before. He wanted to know things about Galen, who once again got his nose out of joint because of the embarrassment over what his life had been like growing up, and still continuedbeing now. He would have to think on this thing with Robert.
Because Andy was right. He did make Galen feel a lot better about himself. Even if it still seemed wrong.
“WHAT DOyou think the card should say today?”
The lady at the counter of the florist grinned at Robert. “Today’s eleven roses? How about, ‘Next to you, a perfect dozen’?”
“Oh, I like that!”
She grinned. “Would you believeI read it in a comic book about a million years ago?”
